Alyrenee's Copious Spare Time

Sorry it has been FOREVER since I have blogged.  I have been working my fanny off at my new day job (professor at UW-Madison) and had little time for anything else. And, I have to say bluntly, I have been feeling a whole lot less enthusiastic about a lot of things lately, but dolls especially.  Don't get me wrong, I still love them and have still bought more than a few over the last year. But I have only managed to unbox a few of my purchases in the last year...so I've got a big pile up waiting for me. I finally have a bit of time off and I am hoping to spend some more time with the collection. Also, I want to do some serious purging.  I am registered for the 2024 convention and planning to do room sales. So I am considering bringing a serious checked bagged filled with dolls. I think pairing down will let me focus and enjoy what I actually have more. So planning a brutal "no mercy" purge. But there are always lows and highs with a hobby right? Of the dolls released i...

  It is that time of year again...to join the W Club.  I will definitely be getting a membership.  In previous years, I had gotten more than one but since they got rid of the coupon, I don't see the need.  Club membership gets you access to several made to order dolls and then right to buy lottery opportunities for others. Club members also get first access to new doll lines dropping so that they can potentially secure preorders before the general public.  Onto the upgrade dolls: I am WIDELY UNDERWHELMED by the upgrade dolls. Not just one, but all three of the dolls are color variations. And variations that possibly no one wanted. I don't even have words really. Just meh.  The only thing giving me hope is that Poppy will be mod again. That will be great. I am hoping that the Poppy "rewind" moment that David mentioned is a companion piece for the Alien Poppy or Black/White Poppy from Stay Tuned...or a friend sculpt for the Palm Springs line.    You...

  The 2023 Club year was a bit of a sloppy drunk.  Let's call her Sheila. Sheila is generally good fun, but occasionally she takes FOREVER, says the wrong thing, over-serves herself, and then spends a lot of time apologizing. Get a hold of yourself, Sheila! Here is a photo showing what I ordered from this year (though it is missing the Wildflower Misaki doll which I did order. This is easily the least amount of stuff I have ordered in a club year. I really liked all of the True Industry line up but was trying to be good. I already have versions that I love of all of those characters and don't want to repeat sculpts with them. I did not have a Jasper or an Auden though and I liked them both enough to enter in the lottery. I got Auden but not Jasper sadly (hoping I will find a takeover later). At the slightly reduced club pricing, the sticker shock of the new high prices was not as bad for what is basically the same Dynamite Girls dolls we used to get for like $60 back in t...

  For real y'all...these prices are ridiculous. I really cannot afford to buy dolls that I don't 100% love anymore.  I really feel like a sucker for buying this...but I desperately love the outfit...not all together but I want the pieces. I hate that bag and will be selling it. I have really failed to connect with the bulk of Jessy's design choices for most of this year. While all these pieces are interesting...would a little coherency kill them? These girls are looking like thy got dressed in the dark lately. Le sigh. Well who's the sucker? I still ordered her. I have not decided on keeping the doll yet. I do love Elyse and I do not have one like her currently but will wait to see her in person. Hmmm, I wonder if those gloves are the same mint shade as the purse from Violane A Fashionable Life set? That would be a nice bonus! Item # 91509 Glamour Coated Elyse Jolie ™   Dressed Doll The Fashion Royalty ®  Collection: Maison FR Edition Size: 1500 Expected Ship Date: ...

The final gala event gave us a swell centerpiece Adele, an interview with Jason Wu, and another miniature Wu fashion on a doll...this time Elyse! Jason discussed his history, drag queens, food, cats, his design work during covid times, and a little look into future things. There was discussion of the Net-a-Porter dolls (groan) and the potential to do another Wu doll for the club instead. Hopefully that might happen as the recent Wu Aymeline(s) offered via Net-a-Porter was an unparalleled torturous disaster for the majority of people who wanted her (still ongoing mind you).   Item # 91529 Sovereign Adèle Makéda™ Dressed Doll The 2021 Integrity Toys Convention: Obsession Final Gala Event Centerpiece Edition Size: 1300 Special Convention Price: $180.00 Head Sculpt: Adele 2.0 Body Type: FR 6.0 Foot Sculpt: High-heeled Skin Tone: Sunkissed Hair Color: Golden Blonde Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied Quickswitch: No Designed by Jessy Ayala and in keeping with the vaguely defined military ...

 Carol's "eating workshop" began with the usual sharing of the rules and a new request for people to not yuck each other's yum. I appreciated that as, in general, I turn off the comments for any presentation so I don't have to see that nonsense and tend to block W Club users that just trash what other like.  It is fine to disagree and voice that opinion...but some people just have no class. Here is a run down of the information shared: The design talk commenced then with Vaughn Sawyers, Jessy Ayala, David Buttry, Chris Stoeckel, Alain Trembley, and Carol Roth. They all shared their IT "origin stories". Mark  is going back to Misaki. Excited to see it. Vaughn's obligatory 'pipeline supply chain issue' explanations.  David -Future of Poppy Parker...she will time travel back and forth...modern twist on vintage. Jessy- Working on new characters (in response to a question about more Asian representation) Chris - Victoire's husband...not in th...

While the Convention Welcome Doll knocked me out, the convention collection was a bit of a mixed bag.  THE WINNER FOR ME. The Victoire is KILLER. I adore Mugler and this is a must have for me. The East 59th dolls are always gorgeous and have amazing details, construction, and design inspiration. Chris Stoeckel killed it and really brought something new here. I am going to cry if I don't get one in the lottery. Also...the photos are great for this doll. I am in love. I am thinking the pink jacket is going to pair nicely with the pieces from the Victoire heist outfit...that had all the black pieces...from Gloss convention maybe? Victoire Roux Is Obsessed with Surrealist Art! 1950s top-model Victoire Roux channels her own personal Obsession for modern art and beauty, as she pays homage to her friend and fellow French citizen, famous surrealist visual artist Man Ray! Wearing an original creation by Integrity Toys designer Chris Stoeckel, this truly unique doll features a special ...

  Once again, old news.  But this doll was a HARD NO for me so I straight up forgot to share. It is as if Jessy specifically designed a doll for me to hate. Y'all know I don't do gowns.  This one is so big it would need it's own Detolf display shelf.  I do not have that kind of display real estate at this point. I also do not 'stan' Vanessa.  Neither 1.0 nor 3.0 has remained for long and there are currently non on my shelf. I do like the crown...but could not justify buying the whole thing for the crown. I do like cape drama...but could not do it. The screening is very pretty though.  However, I am super duper bored with this low chignon center-part hairstyle that we seem to be seeing a lot. Also, these rising prices are forcing me to be more picky. Jessy indicated in an interview that this might be a little taste of what is coming for convention.  Please oh please no. I am sure some will be thrilled, but I have no use for this type of look. Item # 915...

 This is old news at this point...lord did I SQUEAL when I opened this email.  I am a sucker for mini-luggage.  I ordered a set without blinking. I am really hoping we get a few more coordinating pieces among the convention offerings.  I am also really hoping for a matching trunk case for one of the dolls...like an old school build-a-giftset situation. That would be swell.  Item # 15100 Luxe Travels Luggage Accessory Set (Doll-sized) The 2021 Integrity Toys Virtual Convention: Obsession Edition Size: TBD Expected Ship Date: Early Spring 2022 Retail Price: $150.00 (Only $25.00 Due Now to Pre-order!) The Story: All of your Integrity Toys brand dolls will be "obsessed" with traveling, just so they can use every glamorous item in this luxe accessory set designed by David Buttry! Included: Luxurious five-piece, 1:6 scale luggage accessory set, featuring "gold" hardware, beautiful floral print lining, and intricate detailing, including a new "rolling" suitcase ...

  Not one but TWO bitch-tacular Agnes dolls...ready to look at you with faint disapproval. I am a fan of Agnes. I have four in my collection currently: Intimate Soiree, Merveilleuse, Intimate Reveal,  and Devotion.  Four is likely VERY small compared to others but I try not to have many duplicate sculpts...(outside Jem and Poppy natch).  So these two new dolls might mean adding not one but two new Agni (plural of Agnes obviously) into the fold. We shall see. I have a couple of days left to ponder ordering the sterling Agnes (and I am sure I will cave).  I love her overall coloring but I am NOT a gown person.  The gown overall is greatly improved in this color way with the silver and lavender touches as opposed to the saffron number. I was downright salty about that Legendary Agnes and had I ordered her and then been given the chance to order this superior version,,,,oh boy. That would not have been a good look for me.  I am usually not a fan of th...